FAQ
American Door
Garage Door Repair - Residential Doors - Commercial Garage Doors - Nederland - Beaumont, Texas
American FAQ
Q. Are Amarr garage doors "Made in USA"?
				A. Yes!
				
				
				Q. What is the best garage door for me?
				 
A. Each homeowner has unique needs for a new 
				garage door based 
				on the desired styling, the level of care & maintenance 
				required, the energy efficiency and the location of the garage 
				in one’s home. Steps to determine which garage door best suits 
				you are:
				
				
				1. Determine the material that best suits the care & maintenance 
				that you desire. Amarr offers garage doors made from steel, wood 
				composite, wood and aluminum.
				
				2. Choose the door design that best complements your home, 
				including window, color and decorative hardware options.
				
				3. Determine the level of energy efficiency and noise reduction 
				that best suits your needs depending on if you have a room above 
				or adjacent to your garage or have children that play in front 
				of the garage. Most Amarr doors are available with insulation or 
				no insulation options.
				
				
				Q. Why should I choose an insulated door?
				A. A garage door opening is very large. Insulated doors will 
				help to reduce the transfer of heat or cold air into your 
				garage. This is important for a number of reasons:
				
				1) If your garage is attached to your home, air in the garage 
				can travel through the doorway to your living area. An insulated 
				garage door will reduce the transfer of air from the outside to 
				the inside.
				
				2) If you use your garage as a workshop, your comfort will be a 
				top priority. An insulated garage door will help keep the 
				temperature in the garage within a narrower temperature range as 
				compared to the extreme range of the outside temperature.
				
				3) If your garage is below another room in your home, air can 
				travel through the ceiling of the garage into the floor of the 
				room above. An insulated door will keep temperatures in the 
				garage fairly stable to reduce the temperature fluctuation in 
				the room above.
				
				4) An insulated garage door is generally quieter and has a more 
				attractive interior than a non-insulated door.
				
				
				
				Q. Does Amarr have garage doors that qualify for the Energy Tax 
				Credit?
				A. No, effective 1/1/2011, garage doors no longer qualify for 
				the Federal Energy Tax Credit since garage doors are not a 
				product category that Energy Star rates. Only Energy Star 
				building products qualify for the current tax credit. 
				Amarr has 
				insulated garage doors that had previously met the Energy Tax 
				Credit qualifications, but the requirements were changed for 
				2011.
				
				
				
				Q. How long does installation of a garage door take a garage 
				door dealer?
				A. Professional garage door dealer/installers can typically 
				install a door in a few hours and are careful to make sure 
				safety requirements are met. Installations by most homeowners 
				typically span several days and cause much frustration. In 
				addition, incorrect installation can void certain warranties, so 
				we recommend a trained garage door installer to handle the job 
				for you. One of the other services a professional garage door 
				dealer can provide is the disposal of your old garage door if 
				you are replacing a door.
				
				Garage Door Glossary
				
				A
				
				A-Frame
				Support member used to fasten torsion spring assembly of a 
				vertical lift door to the wall above the door opening.
				
				Adjusting Cone (Winding Sleeve, Winding Cone)
				Part that fits into torsion spring permitting winding and 
				tension adjustment.
				
				Angle-Mounted Track
				A method of fastening vertical track to a doorjamb using a fully 
				adjustable continuous angle.
				
				Astragal
				Weather-strip attached to the bottom of the door to seal it 
				against the floor.
				
				B
				
				
				Backroom
				The distance from the door opening into the building to the 
				first obstruction at the required headroom.
				
				Booster Spring
				Additional spring provided to compensate for weakened 
				counterbalance. (Usually extension spring.)
				
				Bottom Fixture (Bottom Corner Bracket)
				A structural support located on the bottom section, which hold 
				track rollers and provide for attachment of the lifting cables 
				on the sectional doors.
				
				Bracket Mounted
				Method of fastening vertical track to a doorjamb using jamb 
				brackets.
				
				C
				
				Cable Clamps
				A manufactured device used to secure two pieces of cable to each 
				other. Size of clamp is determined by the cable diameter.
				
				Cable Drums
				Grooved drums fitted on torsion spring shaft onto which lifting 
				cable is wound when door is opened.
				
				Cable Safety Device
				A safety bottom fixture specifically designed to prevent a door 
				from falling in the event of cable breakage.
				
				Carry-Away Post
				A lightweight extruded aluminum post/track assembly which 
				substitutes for door jamb in multiple door installations where a 
				clear span is required. Can be released and carried from 
				opening.
				
				Center Hinge
				Flat hinge located on all intermediate stiles to allow for 
				section break as door operates.
				
				Center Lift Cable
				An additional lifting cable attached to the exterior of the door 
				to provide support for extra wide or heavy doors.
				
				Center Stile/Stile/Mullion/ Mutt
				Vertical members of a door section which provide structural 
				rigidity and location for center hinge attachment.
				
				Chain Hoist
				Refers to sprocket or pocket wheel attached to shaft with chain 
				operation giving varying mechanical advantage in various ratios.
				
				Contour Track
				Special horizontal track with more than one radius used in 
				specialty applications.
				
				Corner Bracket
				Bottom Fixture
				
				Counterweight
				Refers to design of door mechanisms using weights instead of 
				springs to counterbalance door weight.
				
				Cycle
				One full opening and closing operation of a sectional door.
				
				D
				
				DASMA
				Door and Access System Manufacturing Association. International 
				manufacturing trade association with 5 divisions: residential & 
				commercial sectional doors; rolling doors; operator & 
				electronics; specialty; and association division.
				
				Dead Load
				A static applied load. A load without movement.
				
				Double Car (DC)
				Door section width > 10' 1".
				
				Double Low Headroom Track
				Special horizontal track with a pair of tracks used to reduce 
				the high point of travel of the top section of a door to permit 
				installation in a low headroom application.
				
				Double Shaft
				Double torsion spring shaft used when additional space is 
				required to accommodate counterbalance spring wire.
				
				Duplex Spring
				A combination of two torsion springs of different diameters 
				telescoped within common spring plugs.
				
				E
				
				Edge Hinge (Roller Hinge)
				Graduated hinge, which is attached to end stile of the door 
				sections to carry track rollers and allows for section breaks as 
				a garage door operates.
				
				Electric Interlock
				Interlock to prevent door operation by electric motor under 
				specific circumstances.
				
				Electric Opener
				Electric motorized device to control door cycling.
				
				End Stile
				Stile located at each end of a door section, which provides for 
				attachment of edge hinges. These stiles carry the total section 
				load and should be of superior strength to provide structural 
				integrity.
				
				Extension Spring
				Counterbalance springs, which provide lifting power by 
				stretching. Generally mounted above horizontal tracks.
				
				Exterior Lock
				Keyed lock, which can be operated on exterior of the door.
				
				F
				
				Ferrules
				A metal ring or cap that is affixed to a cable so as to form a 
				bottom or loop on the end of the cable.
				
				G
				
				GDO's
				Garage Door Openers
				
				Graduated Seal
				Design of tapered vertical track and a graduated height of edge 
				hinges, which assure a weather tight, fit between door and jamb.
				
				H
				
				Headroom
				The distance above the top of the door opening to the nearest 
				obstruction.
				
				Headplate
				Special plate attached to front of horizontal tracks for limited 
				sideroom application.
				
				Header Seal
				Weather-stripping which fastens to the top of the door to seal 
				the door along the top of the opening.
				
				High Lift
				Lift Clearance
				
				High Cycle Springs
				Special counterbalance springs with increased cycle lift 
				capability for high usage doors.
				
				Horizontal Track Assembly
				An assembly made up of a piece of track and which can be 
				reinforced with a piece of angle that is used to both guide and 
				support the door in the horizontal position.
				
				I
				
				IDA International Door Association
				The dealer/installer trade association.
				
				Inclined Track
				A horizontal track that follows the slope or slant of a building 
				roof line.
				
				Inside Lock
				Spring loaded, sliding deadbolt lock operated only from interior 
				of the door.
				
				J
				
				Jackshaft Opener
				Electric operator which mounts on the wall or ceiling and 
				directly drives torsion spring shaft. 
				
				Jamb Angle (Jamb Bracket)
				"L" shaped bracket used to fasten vertical tracks to doorjambs.
				
				Jamb Seal
				Weather-stripping attached to doorjambs to help seal door along 
				the jambs.
				
				Joint Seal
				Weather-stripping attached to door section meeting edges to seal 
				door between sections.
				
				K
				
				L
				
				Lap Jamb
				Condition where door sections lap the door opening one inch on 
				each jamb.
				
				Lateral Force
				A force applied from or toward the side.
				
				Lift Clearance
				The distance above the top of the door opening to the centerline 
				of the horizontal track. This term is often confused with the 
				term "headroom."
				
				Lite
				Term for windows in sectional doors.
				
				Low Headroom
				Hardware accessories to provide for door installation with 
				minimum headroom conditions. Usually less than 16" headroom.
				
				M
				
				Metallurgist Report
				A report of document that describes the composition of a 
				material.
				
				Mill Certification
				A report or document from the producing mill that provides all 
				pertinent data relative to the composition, structure, heat, 
				etc. of a given material.
				
				Mullion
				A slender dividing bar fixed or removable between two doors. 
				Usually designed to carry wind load and not vertical load.
				
				N
				
				Normal Headroom
				Hardware standard to provide for door installation with standard 
				headroom conditions. Usually 16" to 24" of headroom.
				
				O
				
				One Piece Door
				Also known as Shin-busters. A door that operates as one-piece, 
				rather than a door made of multiple sections.
				
				Open Back Door
				Hollow door with no insulation or back.
				
				Opening
				Area of the garage exterior where a garage door will hang for 
				closure.
				
				Opening Height
				Distance from garage floor to the top of an opening.
				
				Opening Width
				Distance between left and right jambs of an opening.
				
				Opener / Operator
				A device used to control the up and down motion of a door.
				
				Outside Hook-Up
				Bottom fixture with an arm that bends around vertical track to 
				receive lifting cables. Generally used with low headroom 
				hardware.
				
				P
				
				Panel
				The area between stiles in a door section. The "look" of a door 
				is considered the "panel style."
				
				Pass Door
				Entry person door which is built-in to a sectional door.
				
				Perimeter Seal
				Complete weather stripping package for sectional doors 
				consisting of astragal, jamb seal and header seal.
				
				Pocket Wheel
				A wheel or drum machined in a way to receive the individual 
				links of a chain. Used to transmit direct power.
				
				Push Down Spring Bumper
				Spring-activated push rods mounted on horizontal tracks to force 
				door down during closing portion of door cycle. Generally used 
				with jackshaft type operator or manual chain hoist with standard 
				lift.
				
				
				Q
				
				
				R
				
				Radial Force
				A force generated from the center of an object toward the 
				outside.
				
				Rollers
				Steel and nylon, usually with ball-bearing wheels that allow 
				sections to roll freely along door tracks.
				
				R-Value
				R-value is a measurement of thermal efficiency of a garage door, 
				or how well the garage door insulates. The higher the R-value, 
				the increased thermal efficiency of a garage door. Be aware that 
				manufacturer’s R-value calculations may vary. To compare 
				R-value, make sure manufacturers follow the DASMA (Door and 
				Access Systems Manufacturers Association) guidelines by stating
				
				
				S
				
				Sandwich Door
				Triple-Layer: Steel + Insulation + Steel Interior.
				
				Section
				Individual components of a garage door. Garage doors are made up 
				of multiple sections to fill the appropriate height of a garage 
				opening. 
				
				Shaft Bearings
				A free rolling, cylindrical, ball bearing that is used to guide 
				the torsion shaft, maintain alignment, and reduce friction.
				
				Sheaves
				A pulley with a ball bearing built into it that is designed to 
				handle a cable and used to control the movement of the cables 
				employed in door counter balance system.
				
				Side Bearing Plate (End Bearing Plate)
				A bracket that attaches to the horizontal supports and possibly 
				the wall to provide a bearing surface for the torsion shaft near 
				the ends.
				
				Sideroom
				Distance from each doorjamb to the nearest obstruction.
				
				Single Car (SC)
				Door section width < 10'
				
				Spring Assembly
				Hardware used to make up door counter-balance assembly.
				
				Spring Bumper
				Small spring-cushioned bumper attached to horizontal track to 
				stop door at full open position.
				
				Spring Pad (Center Bearing Plate)
				Plate or bracket which is located on the wall above door opening 
				to receive torsion spring assembly support brackets.
				
				Spring Fittings
				The sleeves or cones that are used to adapt the torsion springs 
				to the torsion shaft. Torsion springs usually have two fittings 
				or cones. One is a stationary sleeve or spring retainer, while 
				the second piece is an adjusting cone or winding sleeve.
				
				Stationary Sleeves (Spring Retainers)
				Part that fits into the end of a torsion spring permitting the 
				spring to be anchored to the spring anchor plate.
				
				Steel Gauge
				Steel gauge is the thickness of the steel material used in 
				garage doors. The lower the steel gauge number the thicker the 
				steel. Real steel gauge is the true thickness of the steel 
				material. Nominal steel gauge is the average thickness of the 
				steel material used in production due to a plus/minus tolerance 
				level. Real steel gauge is the minimum gauge of steel material 
				used in production.
				
				Stiles
				Vertical members of a door section which provide structural 
				rigidity and a location for hinge attachment. Generic term.
				
				Strut
				Support stiffener used to increase wind load capacities of a 
				door, as well as reduce deflection of a door section in the 
				horizontal position.
				
				Swing-Up Post
				An extruded aluminum post which substitutes for doorjambs in 
				multiple door installations where a clear span is required. 
				Operated by a hand winch or electric operator, it swings up 
				parallel to header.
				
				T
				
				Tapered Vertical Track
				Refers to the graduated spacing of the vertical track away from 
				the jamb permitting weather-tight closing of door against jamb.
				
				Top Fixture
				Adjustable brackets, which usually carry track rollers, mounted 
				on the top corners of the top section of the sectional door.
				
				Torsion Shaft
				The shaft of a torsion spring assembly, which transmits lifting 
				power of the torsion springs to cable drums and lifting cables.
				
				Torsion Springs
				Counterbalance springs which provide balancing power by winding 
				and unwinding through door cycle.
				
				Track
				Channel shaped metal bars that guide rollers on sectional garage 
				doors.
				
				Trajectory
				The arc of travel or sweep of the top section as the door is 
				raised from closed to open position.
				
				Trolley Operator
				Electric operator, which mounts above the door in the horizontal 
				position and lifts door by pulling, and pushing the top section. 
				Specifically designed for normal headroom and low headroom 
				doors.
				
				Truss (Struts)
				Support stiffener used to increase wind load capacities of a 
				door as well as reduce deflection of the door sections in the 
				horizontal position.
				
				U
				
				
				Upper Vertical Track
				Horizontal track assembly on a vertical lift door.
				
				
				V
				
				Vertical Lift
				Refers to a hardware design that causes doors to open 
				vertically, no horizontal tracks required. This hardware is 
				normally operated with spring counterbalance, but also possible 
				with weight counterbalance.
				
				Vertical Track
				Track assembly mounted to door opening jambs to guide and 
				support a sectional door in the "closed" or "vertical" position.
				
				
				W
				
				Wind Load
				The amount of force (in PSF) exerted by the wind along the face 
				of the door as it stands in the opening. 
				
				Winding Sleeve (Adjusting Cone)
				Part that fits into torsion spring permitting winding and 
				tension adjustment.
Once you’re our customer, you’ll always be our customer.
Jeff Clack

